Police in Ho Chi Minh City have searched for the legal representative of Saigon Star International School (SGSIS) in Thu Duc City, whose sudden closure and relocation due to a land dispute confused parents and students.

The criminal police unit of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department has been looking for Vo Thi Phuong Thao, born in 1981 and residing at 243 L2 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, Ward 13, District 5, for “fraudulent appropriation of property” since January, prior to the public uproar surrounding SGSIS-related issues.

According to the wanted notice, the police have called on anyone with information about Thao’s whereabouts to report to Team 4 of the criminal police unit at 459 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cau Kho Ward, District 1. 

The contact person is investigator Vo Thanh Tuan, who can be reached at phone number 0764.964.214.

“Up until now, Ms. Thao has not made contact to resolve the case,” a source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reported.

According to the business registration certificate for SGSIS, updated on December 5, Thao is the legal representative of the school and also serves as its general director.

Thao owns 90.9 percent of the SGSIS’ capital, while the remainder is held by her husband, Tran Van Thuc, an Australian citizen.

The certificate also shows that the SGSIS head office has been moved to 577 National Highway 13, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City. 

This new address, also communicated to its 300 students’ parents via email, will replace the current facility on Land Plot No. 94, 811 in Thanh My Loi Ward, Thu Duc, which is subject to a court-ordered land handover.

According to the school’s announcement, repairs and renovations at the new facility began on December 7. 

The school plans to temporarily relocate to the new site at 577 National Highway 13 starting Friday, and expects to welcome students back on February 12, 2025. 

The school also aims to continue renovations and expansions throughout the 2025-26 school year, including building new classrooms, functional rooms, and outdoor playgrounds.

The land plot at 577 National Highway 13, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, where Saigon Star International School announced it will relocate to. Photo: Trong Nhan / Tuoi Tre

However, many parents have expressed concerns that this plan is unrealistic, given the currently empty state of the new facility.

As a result, many parents have demanded a refund of their tuition fees but have yet to receive a response from the school.

SGSIS, established in 2005 by an Indian businessman residing and working in Vietnam, caters to children aged 2-11, according to its website.

According to Tuoi Tre’s research, Land Plot No. 94, 811 in Thanh My Loi Ward, Thu Duc is owned by ACB Asset Management Company Limited (ACBA). 

In 2016, ACBA and SGSIS signed a land lease agreement, which was followed by a land sale and purchase contract in 2018. 

However, SGSIS failed to make payments as agreed, prompting ACBA to file a lawsuit to annul the contract and reclaim the land.

In 2020, the court ruled in favor of ACBA, ordering SGSIS to return the land and pay overdue rent. 

Despite SGSIS’ request for a review, the High People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City upheld the judgment in 2021. 

Earlier this year, the Thu Duc City Civil Judgment Judgment Execution Sub-Department issued a final decision for compulsory land handover, instructing SGSIS to inform its employees, students, and parents about the relocation and cease operations during the 2024-25 school year.

The forced land handover was set for this month.

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